Team Canada Men's Hockey General Discussion

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

So 10:00am starts (MST), what's everyone doing for the first two games given they're on weekdays?

Work cafeteria

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I don't care for Carter or Kunitz on the 1st line. I hope that changes.

Is there really a first line? I assume Babcock will give the most ice-time to the line that happens to be the hottest at the time.

[formulate]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

My lines:

Kunitz / Crosby / MSL
Benn / Getzlaf / Perry
Sharp / Toews / Bergeron
Nash / Tavares / Duchene

Carter / Marleau

I like this. Benn-Getzlaf-Perry is a terrifying line. Third line is great in both ends of the rink. '4th' line is a 'light' version of the top line.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

I don't care for Carter or Kunitz on the 1st line. I hope that changes.

I agree with you on Carter but the second Kunitz was named to this team it was a done deal that he was playing with Crosby. There's no question about that, imo.

[GreenLantern]

I really want to see Bergeron at center, he has taken the 4th most faceoffs in the league and has won 59.7% of them.

That is 7.4% more than Crosby, 3.8% higher than Toews and 10.6% higher than Tavares.

Not saying he should be the 1st line center (is there even a first line?) But any line he is on, he should be centering it without a doubt.

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I really want to see Bergeron at center, he has taken the 4th most faceoffs in the league and has won 59.7% of them.

That is 7.4% more than Crosby, 3.8% higher than Toews and 10.6% higher than Tavares.

Not saying he should be the 1st line center (is there even a first line?) But any line he is on, he should be centering it without a doubt.

He can still take draws if he is playing wing.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

So 10:00am starts (MST), what's everyone doing for the first two games given they're on weekdays?

I am confused because when I look at CBC's streaming schedule for Thursday the first game is listed at 3AM.

[codynw]

Kunitz / Crosby / Carter
Sharp / Toews / Nash
Tavares / Getzlaf / Perry
Benn / Bergeron / Marleau

Keith / Doughty
Bouwmeester / Pietrangelo
Vlasic / Weber

Price
Luongo

I assume Babcock knows what he's doing, but these would be my lines.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Funny how Bergeron the SC winning center of 2011 and again in SC finals last year is being majorly overlooked. Bergeron was the most significant Bruin forward of both runs scoring and setting up several key goals. Boston plays him as Center and Winger. The guy knows what it takes to get to the championship game.

Not only was Bergeron not the most significant forward on either of those teams, he wasn't even the most significant centre. Krejci was easily the better player. Not only that, but Bergeron looked very out of place on the last Olympic squad, so I am not sure I understand your love for him when it comes to this year's team.

[the_professsor]

Originally Posted by Ark2

Not only was Bergeron not the most significant forward on either of those teams, he wasn't even the most significant centre. Krejci was easily the better player. Not only that, but Bergeron looked very out of place on the last Olympic squad, so I am not sure I understand your love for him when it comes to this year's team.

If being the better player is based on points, then yes. Both those centers were instrumental in the Bruins cup run, but they play different roles. I definitely don't agree with the bolded above.

Anyway, I think Bergeron on the 4th line is appropriate. My biggest issue with the lineup is Carter on the 1st line, and Marleau being in the lineup. I'd rather see an elite guy like Tavares (who has some experience on the wing) play with Crosby, and a fast guy like Duchene in for Marleau.

From watching a few sharks games this year, Marleau is washed up and while he used to be a speedster, Duchene would skate circles around him today


also, Bergeron was playing with a broken rib, torn cartilage and a separated shoulder, pretty impressive.

[Keselke]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I really want to see Bergeron at center, he has taken the 4th most faceoffs in the league and has won 59.7% of them.

That is 7.4% more than Crosby, 3.8% higher than Toews and 10.6% higher than Tavares.

Not saying he should be the 1st line center (is there even a first line?) But any line he is on, he should be centering it without a doubt.

Centering and taking face-offs can be separate roles, think about how Bergeron was employed in 2010, he was essentially a faceoff specialist

[saillias]

I think they took the toolbox approach a little too far. Overanalyzing to the point of not taking the best players. We'll see how they do. If Canada gets bounced early I wouldn't mind a fresh group for the selection committee/coaching staff for the next games. Maybe get Sakic/Roy involved. Or Darryl.

[Jebus]

For those lamenting the Carter inclusion on top line, Labrun reported over on TSN.ca that the coaching staff intends to move Tavares up to top line if the Carter experiment fails and/or Tavares heats up. Goes on to mention how thisis his first time on such a stage and reminds how young JT is.
Would love to see those two together to see how high Tavares can raise his game.

[cDnStealth]

The more I think about it the more I am disappointed Stamkos won't be there. The thought of seeing the best playmaker in the game setting up one of the best goal scorers would have been great to watch.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Ark2

Not only was Bergeron not the most significant forward on either of those teams, he wasn't even the most significant centre. Krejci was easily the better player. Not only that, but Bergeron looked very out of place on the last Olympic squad, so I am not sure I understand your love for him when it comes to this year's team.

So much wrong in here.

Bergeron is arguably the best two-way center in the game not named Crosby or Toews.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Jebus

For those lamenting the Carter inclusion on top line, Labrun reported over on TSN.ca that the coaching staff intends to move Tavares up to top line if the Carter experiment fails and/or Tavares heats up. Goes on to mention how thisis his first time on such a stage and reminds how young JT is.
Would love to see those two together to see how high Tavares can raise his game.

On paper, I like the decision to have Carter on the Crosby line. Big body, right handed goal scorer.. we'll have to see if it works out though.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by MattyC

So much wrong in here.

Bergeron is arguably the best two-way center in the game not named Crosby or Toews.

Or Datsyuk

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by MattyC

So much wrong in here.

Bergeron is arguably the best two-way center in the game not named Crosby or Toews.

Can't say I agree with that. I'd say that the best two way centers in the game are elite at both ends of the ice. Plenty of top line centers in the league that play great defence. Bergeron isn't elite offensively.

And to split hairs you're probably missing the best two way center in the game in Datsyuk.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by MattyC

So much wrong in here.

Bergeron is arguably the best two-way center in the game not named Crosby or Toews.

You can argue about how good of a two-way centre he is all you like, Krejci was still the better player during the Bruins two Cup runs.

[sureLoss]

Carey Price will get the start against Norway. Luongo will start against Austria.